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Aug 29, 2010 - 4:49 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Boston (74-55) at Tampa Bay (78-50), 8:05 p.m. EDT

While the Boston Red Sox are desperately trying to make it a three-team race in the AL East, the Tampa Bay Rays have the opportunity to deliver a tough blow to their postseason chances.

The Rays look to win the deciding game of their home series against the Red Sox on Sunday night, which would give them a 6 1/2-game lead for a playoff spot.

Tampa Bay (79-50) bounced back from Friday's 3-1 loss to Boston (74-56) by winning 3-2 in 10 innings Saturday on Dan Johnson's walk-off home run. The victory improved the Rays to 9-5 against the Red Sox this year, and evened the series at four games apiece at Tropicana Field.

Tampa Bay remained tied with New York atop the AL East while increasing its lead over Boston to 5 1/2 games. Whichever team finishes second in the division will likely win the wild card.

The Rays close their season series against the Red Sox in Boston from Sept 6-8.

"I don't take anything for granted," manager Joe Maddon told the Rays' official website. "I know it looks like it's stacked in our favor, but if you start looking at things that way, it can go away."

Tampa Bay, which has won 16 of 21 at home, will turn Sunday to James Shields (12-11, 4.76 ERA), who finally seems to be enjoying some success of his own at Tropicana Field.

After going 1-5 with a 5.59 ERA in his first nine starts there this season, Shields is 3-1 with a 2.42 ERA in his last four home outings.

The right-hander leads the Rays in losses, but has won five of his last seven starts overall, including the last two. He struck out 10 and allowed three runs in six innings of a 4-3 win against the Los Angeles Angels on Monday. In doing so, Shields matched Scott Kazmir's career franchise records for starts (144) and wins (55).

"He's been a rock for us the last several years," Maddon said. "He's going to really get on a nice run."

Shields is 1-2 with a 5.03 ERA in three starts against the Red Sox this season, including a loss at home May 25. In his most recent meeting with Boston on June 29 at Fenway Park, he gave up five runs and seven hits in five innings of an 8-5 loss.

John Lackey (12-7, 4.51), who will take the mound Sunday for Boston, opposed Shields in that game and gave up one run in seven innings. The right-hander is 2-1 with a 5.94 ERA against the Rays during his first season with the Red Sox.

That season has been unspectacular for Lackey, who sports an ERA above 4.00 for the first time since 2004. He has won his last two starts, though, including a 6-3 win over Seattle on Monday in which he allowed three runs in eight innings.

Victor Martinez went 4 for 5 with a home run in Saturday's loss after recording three hits, including two homers, in Friday's win. The Red Sox catcher, who is hitting .448 with eight RBIs in his last seven games, is 6 for 16 against Shields.

"Tomorrow's a new day, come back tomorrow, keep fighting see what happens," Martinez told the Red Sox's official website.